Improvement in fifth-wheels for vehicles



Patented Dec. 18, I877.

INVENTOR WiTNESSES (I 'a ll /i/jaa, @Z/Wm,

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ATTORNEY 24.951129, PNOTOJJTHOGR'AFHERL WISNKWON. D C

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

IRA W. MEAD, OF FALLS VILLAGE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF HIS RIGHT TO LYMANMUNSON, 0F CANAAN, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN FIFTH-WHEELS FOR VEHICLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 198,407, dated December18, 1877 application filed November 17, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IRA W. MEAD, of Falls Village, in the county ofLitchfield and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and valuableImprovement in Fifth-Wheels for Vehicles; and I do hereby declare thatthe following is a full, clear, and exact description of theconstruction and operation of the same, reference being had to theannexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to theletters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a representation of a plan view of thefifth-wheel. Fig. 2 is avertical section thereof, and Fig. 3 is a frontView of the same.

This invention has relation to improvements in fifth-wheels forvehicles; and the nature of the invention consists in certaincombinations of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the annexed drawings, the letter A designatesan ordinary axle-tree,to the upper part of which is rigidly secured a strong circular metallicplate, B, of suitable diameter. This plate has upon its under side adiametrical groove, a, in which the axle-tree aforesaid is received, andwhich prevents the said plate from rotating with reference to .the

same.

0 represents the fixed plate, having an annular flange, b, upon itsunder side, which fits snugly over the edge of the bearingplate B, asshown in Fig. 2. This plate has upon its front and rear a lug, c, toeach of which one end of a curved metallic brace, D, is rigidly securedby means of a bolt, d, and a nut, e, which brace passes under the axleA.

Plate C is held against upward displacement by means of a bolt, f,having a broad flat rectangular head, 9, and extending throughregistering-perforations in the plates B C, the axle, and brace D, andupon the lower projecting end of which a nut, d, is applied.

The head of this belt is recessed into theplate C, and its upper surfaceis flush therewith.

G G represent two spaced pillow-blocks, cast with the plate C, andarranged one at each side of the center of said plate, at right anglesto the length of the vehicle and parallel to each other. These blocksreceive between them the rocking cradle H, to which the vehicle-springsare secured, the said cradle being attached to the said blocks by meansof the reach I, the rounded front end of which extends throughregistering perforations in the blocks and. cradle, and is preventedfrom withdrawing therefrom by means of a nut, n, applied upon itsprojecting front end. As shown in Fig. 2, the bottom of the cradle Hdoes not bear upon the plate C. The cradle and reach are connected by ametallic bolt, m, extending vertically through them, which prevents thereach from turning axially in the blocks, but allows it axial motion tothe extent of the rocking of the cradle-plate, by which means the reachis prevented from being twisted when one of the wheels descends into arut. The brace being secured to the fixed plate front and rear, andbeing under the axle-tree, the king-bolt is prevented from undue strain.

The flange upon the fixed plate C, fitting snugly upon the edge of themovable plate, prevents sand or other foreign matter from gettingbetween the said plates and cans ing undue wear.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination, with the plate B and flanged top plate C ofafifth-wheel, of the pillow-blocks G G, formed on the upper part ofplate C, the vibrating cradle-block H, the reach I, nut n, and bolt m,the whole constructed and arranged substantially as herein described.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my namein the presence of two witnesses.

IRA W. MEAD. Witnesses:

M. A. DEAN, 0. BROWN.

